AAP buys time for Delhi government formation

Party seeks 10 days time to take final call, as it awaits reply from Congress and BJP on 18 conditions.

16 Dec 2013 08:08 GMT

The Aam Admi Party has emerged as the second-largest party in Delhi with 28 seats [EPA]

The newly-elected Delhi assembly, which hangs in balance, has received a wee bit of hope with the debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) agreeing to form government if the opposition Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) agree to 18 conditions.

The assembly, with no clear winner, is all set for federal rule. But, following procedure, Delhi state governor invited the AAP, after the BJP refused to form government citing lack of support.

Following elections to the 70-seat assembly, the BJP and allies won 33, the AAP 28 and the Congress eight. Since no party crossed the half-way mark, government formation has come to a halt.

The AAP has not accepted the unconditional support offered by the BJP and the Congress as it had fought the elections on an anti-corruption platform.

The debutant party, which performed spectacularly, has hesitated to ally with the two bigger parties as it views both as having compromised with corruption.

But, pressure is building on the AAP as some analysts have said it can be viewed as a party that is not responsible enough if it throws away the opportunity to form government. At the same time, led by its mercurial chief Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP is not willing to form government as it cannot take any decision being in a minority.

Under pressure from colleagues and supporters, Kejriwal sent a list of 18 demands to the Congress and the BJP saying the AAP would form government if the opposition agreed to his party’s demands.

Kejriwal has also sought 10 days from the state governor to take a final call on government formation.

Among its 18 conditions, the AAP wants the other two parties to help construct a better infrastructure for the city, directly involve people in decision-making, provide decent housing and other basic needs for the poor who live in sub-human conditions and to help in the passage of the people’s independent ombudsman (Janlokpal) bill as was envisaged by the anti-corruption movement.